CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
2026 Legislative Session Week Four

Week 4 Update Video

Thanks to Hunter Nation for gathering hunters across the state to support the repeal of Prop 4! You can visit them at the Hunting Expo this weekend at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The strong turnout from Utahns reflects the deep commitment Utah’s hunting community has to protect our wildlife and our freedoms. 

Helpful Links 

• Listen to or Participate in Live Meetings
• Utah Voter Registration
• Learn about the House Majority Issues
• Increasing Transparency in Utah’s Courts 
• Strengthening Retirement Security

Upcoming Events

Saturday Morning Chats: WILL CONTINUE FEB. 21ST (Not On President's Day Weekend) 8:30-9:30am on Facebook South Davis Community Page 

1. HB210: Eliminating Marriage Penalties in Utah Tax Code 
2. HB219: America 250 - Teaching Presidential Speeches & Historic Documents 
3. HB374: Bringing together SLPs and Hearing specialists
4. Utah’s First Woman Voter: Seraph Young Honored on Voter Registration Day
5. Protecting Our Communities
6. Strengthening Families and Encouraging Marriage
7. Friends on the Hill
8. Bills Passed this Week
9. Welcoming our Granddaughter

Eliminating Marriage Penalties in Utah Tax Code: HB210

This Deseret News article highlights the opportunity of HB210 impacts. I appreciate the support of the media, Congressman Blake Moore, The Heritage Foundation, The Utah Taxpayers Association, and the Sutherland Institute for working on this legislation with me. 

My bill HB210 eliminates marriage penalties in Utah’s Tax Code to ensure married couples are not paying more than others because of their filing status. The bill modifies key income tax credits including the Child Tax Credits, Social Security, Taxpayer, and Retirement, and creates a new equal Marriage Tax credit. Recently, HB210 came out of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee with a favorable recommendation and I am committed to ensuring that married Utah families are no longer penalized for being married. 

HB219: America 250 - Teaching Presidential Speeches & Historic Documents

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we have the responsibility to ensure students understand the foundational principles that shaped our nation. HB219 strengthens civic literacy as it incorporates seminal documents and presidential speeches into higher education coursework writing analysis. An intentional effort to reflect on the words that built our country and continue to guide us.

Uniting Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists & Hearing Specialists

Every 10 years, the Office of Professional Licensure Review (OPLR) evaluates all professional licenses in the state. This year, several licenses were reviewed under Senator Vickers' Omnibus Bill SB31. I brought together speech and hearing specialists in HB374. From those across Utah we are going to modernize and streamline licensure. With the support from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Utah Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the International Hearing Society. 

With Rohnin Randles LRGC, Jeff Shumway OPLR, Kristin Norris, Lauren Snyder, Lee Robinson, Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer, and Kate Johnson. 

Utah History Spotlight: First Woman to Vote in the Nation!

Utah leads the nation in many things, including February 14, 1870, Seraph Young was the first woman in the United States and its territories to cast a ballot under an equal suffrage law. On Valentine's Day, she stepped forward not simply as a voter but as a symbol of courage when women across the country were denied that right. 

To celebrate this incredible milestone, Utah celebrates Voter Registration Day on February 14th, a reminder for all people to make their voice heard by registering to vote.  
Click here to register and check your voter registration information: Utah Voter Registration

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson shares a message on International Women's Day.

Protecting our Communities 

Keeping our families safe is a top priority, and this session we’re moving several bills that make a real difference. We’re improving violent crime case clearance, giving law enforcement the tools to solve more cases and support victims. Substance use intervention reforms connect those struggling with addiction to treatment rather than cycling through the system, strengthening both safety and community health. Sentencing and supervision updates ensure courts have clear guidelines while reducing repeat offending. By enhancing homeless services alongside public safety measures, we balance compassionate care with strong enforcement. 

Strengthening Families and Encouraging Marriage

One of the things that makes Utah unique is our strong foundation of family. About 80% of Utah households are headed by married parents, a rate far above the national average. This session, the Legislature is advancing policies that reflect family values by looking for ways to incentivize marriage, support young children, and prevent elected leaders from passing policies that could negatively impact family structure. By encouraging stable homes and offering resources where families need them most, we’re working to make Utah an even better place to raise children and build a life together.

Friends on the Hill

With District 20 Women from NSL and Bountiful Assistant Head House Kay White, House Page Natalie Maxwell, House Page Laura DeVries, Eucator & Parent Alina Ballard, and the Director of Gifted & Talented program in Davis Schools, Kristi Burgess. 
With Utah State Troopers, speaking to the Utah Chamber, the Coalition of Autism Providers, Brooke Muir from Fight Against Domestic Violence, and Vietnam Veterans. 

Community of Davis County who came out to sign for a Nov. 2026 ballot measure to repeal Prop. 4. Thanks for helping to get this on our Nov ballot! 

Bills Passed this Week

This week 4 at the Capitol, four of my bills advanced in the legislative process. HB219 received a favorable recommendation from the House Education Committee, and HB230 received a favorable recommendation from the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee. Additionally, HB374 received a favorable recommendation in the House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee as well as HB139. While HB324 passed the House floor and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Welcoming our Granddaughter

Our family is overjoyed to welcome our 6th grandchild into the world! 

Bills Passed by the House this Week

• H.R. 3 House Rules Resolution - Abandoning Legislation
• H.J.R. 10 Joint Rules Resolution - Sponsor's Supporting Information
• H.B. 32 Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments
• H.B. 38 County Government Amendments
• H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments
• H.B. 97 Medical Waste Amendments
• H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments
• H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions
• H.B. 110 Offender Supervision Amendments
• H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments
• H.B. 118 Driver Training Schools for Commercial Driver License Amendments
• H.B. 122 Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments
• H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments
• H.B. 141 International Money Transmission Amendments
• H.B. 148 Tax Return Donation Amendments
• H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments
• H.B. 165 Critical Infrastructure Amendments
• H.B. 171 Physician Assistant Amendments
• H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments
• H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status
• H.B. 179 Milk Amendments
• H.B. 195 Precious Metals Amendments
• H.B. 187 Water Amendments
• H.B. 205 Substance Use Intervention Amendments
• H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments
• H.B. 217 Stolen Vehicle Amendments
• H.B. 220 Public Safety Data Amendments
• H.B. 222 Limitation of Actions Amendments
• H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments
• H.B. 229 Restricted Account Modifications
• H.B. 236 Truth in Taxation Amendments
• H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments
• H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions
• H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications
• H.B. 349 Statewide Water Storage
• H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange
• H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments
• H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments
• H.B. 268 Towing Notice and Ownership Rights Modifications
• H.B. 369 Agriculture and Food Amendments
• H.B. 271 Multi-Agency Joint Strike Force Modifications
• H.B. 288 Voting Registration Amendments
• H.B. 293 Public Education Student Athlete Protections
• H.B. 299 School Response to Sexual Offense
• H.B. 300 School District Taxation Amendments
• H.B. 309 Juneteenth Observance Amendments
• H.B. 310 School Reintegration Plan Amendments
• H.B. 311 Amendments to Election Law
• H.B. 314 Firearm Purchase Amendments
• H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments
• H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments
• H.B. 351 School Vision Screening Amendments
• H.B. 352 Higher Education Alignment
• H.B. 353 Higher Education Credit Transfer Amendments
• H.B. 376 Land Management Funding Amendments
• H.B. 378 Fugitive Dust Mitigation Amendments
• H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments
• H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments
• H.B. 419 Environmental Legal Action Amendments
• S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Concerning Remembrances of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks
• S.J.R. 2 Joint Resolution Regarding Constitutional Brackets
• S.B. 40 Business Entity Amendments
• S.B. 41 Business Entity Technical Amendments
• S.B. 46 Water Wise Landscaping Amendments
• S.B. 52 Substitute Teaching Requirements Amendments
• S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments
• S.B. 117 Occupational and Professional Licensing Amendments
• S.B. 120 Towing Modifications